Miscellaneous Topics – 2359 

 

The Royal Lineage of the Bodhisatta 

In 

[1675]

 connection with the Bodhisatta’s investigation into his family (

kula-

olokana

), a history of Sakyan kings should be noted in brief as follows. Such a 

note means recognition of the attribute of the Bodhisatta’s high birth (

jāti-

mahatta-guṇa

). 

In the first inclusive period (

antara

) of an incalculably long aeon of evolution 

(

vivaṭṭaṭṭhāyī-asaṅkhyeyya-kappa

), the first king of the people, in the beginning 

of the world, was our Bodhisatta. He was originally named Manu. 

The Bodhisatta Manu was more handsome, more pleasant to look at, more 
respectable, glorious and virtuous than other inhabitants of the world of the 
earliest age. 

In that primeval age, people were of very pure morality at first. Later on, there 
appeared people who committed crimes, such as theft, murder, etc. In order to 
be able to live free from these dangers and in peace, other early men of the 
world discussed the matter among themselves and decided unanimously to elect 
someone who would govern them justly. 

They also agreed that the Bodhisatta Manu was the best to govern, for he was 
endowed with all the required qualifications. Then they approached him and 
made a request that he be their righteous ruler. 

As Manu fulfilled his administrative duties, the people who were under his 
administration honoured him by paying their taxes, a kind of fee for his ruling, 
which amounted to one tenth of their crops. 

The Acquisition of Three Epithets 

The people unanimously recognized the Bodhisatta, showing no objection at all, 
as one who would govern them with righteousness, for which honour taxes were 
due. Therefore, he acquired the epithet Mahā Sammata, the Great Elected One. 

[1676]

 

He saw to it that there were no disputes, quarrels, etc., over ownership of 
farmlands. And, if there were any, the noble Manu had the power to decide and 
pass judgement. This earned him the epithet of being a noble (

khattiya

). As he 

endeared himself to the people by observing upright kingly duties towards them, 
he won the third title of king (

rājā

).